Japanese lawmakers are considering making AI-generated Studio Ghibli images illegal due to potential copyright infringement concerns. Studio Ghibli's unique animation style has become a significant part of Japan's cultural identity, and lawmakers are debating whether AI-generated images in this style constitute copyright violation.
The challenge lies in defining what constitutes "Ghibli itself," as Studio Ghibli's style is an amalgamation of many artists' work, making it difficult to determine when an AI-generated image crosses the line. According to Hirohiko Nakahara, Director-General for Japan's Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Strategy, using styles and ideas similar to Studio Ghibli's is likely legal, but if AI-generated content is deemed too similar to preexisting copyrighted works, it could infringe on copyright law.
The anime industry has expressed concerns about AI-generated art, with some professionals expressing despair over the trend. Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki has also criticized AI-generated animation images, calling them an "insult to life itself." For now, there is no direct legal action planned against AI models like ChatGPT or OpenAI, but the discussion highlights the complexities of AI-generated art and copyright law.
